[quote=earlyretirement]…You are correct that I’d NOT be happy with a 20,000 sq. foot lot in Tijuana. As mentioned, I really don’t care about having a huge yard and I really think based on my research I want to buy something in the areas you are mentioning due to lifestyle, school district and quality of life related issues for the family.
I think that many times it’s extremely helpful that the person giving advice match with the same demographics of the person buying so that they understand what is important. You sound very similar to my situation besides the cash thingy…[/quote]
ER, please see my most recent post to ocrenter. There are some links to South County listings on there that may meet your needs, all CUSTOM in a gated community with 180 – 360 degree pano views. One appears to have just escaped an imminent trustee’s sale and needs a bit of TLC. If the bank should take title, the City will immediately cite it for pool draining. I think you will be SHOCKED at the difference in MR and HOA dues.
Although I may easily be 25 years older than you, the issue we are discussing here has nothing to do with “demographics.” It has to do with a “knee-jerk” reaction by newcomers of primarily the current “worker-bee” generation (yours) to flock to newer far flung developments in SD county for their home search rather than first see what’s on offer in more conveniently located areas. I myself raised my children in South County and they had GREAT educations! One is still in HS.
You posted that you own or owned property in the past in Argentina. If your spouse happens to be Argentinian, you should know that there are MANY South Americans who own property and reside in SD South County.
Unlike other Piggs on here, I don’t “push” my area of residence (South County) on anyone. But you don’t seem to have “commuting issues” and South County is far from major job centers except dtn SD. If you just study the active listings I provided in this small Belmonte development here, I’m sure you will see that you can get FAR MORE value for your dollar (including more mature landscaping) than you can in SantaLuz with a wide variety of and closer services nearby (incl two major hospitals within 3 and 5 miles) and more choice of routes in/out of the area.
The schools in Belmonte’s attendance area are Discovery Charter Elem (Spanish immersion magnet), Bonita Vista Middle and Bonita Vista HS.
2010 API scores of these schools are:
Discovery: 835
BVMS: 795
BVHS: 832
Possible easy zone transfers in the immediate area are:
Ella B Allen Elem: 881
Burton C Tiffany Elem: 886
Rancho Del Rey Middle: 844
Of course, when you take the “English learners” out of the mix, the API scores of the remaining student population are higher.
